Why the comparison is tricky
A $99 monthly plan and a $149 one-time plan are not comparable at face value. If you need two months, the monthly plan costs $198. Our comparisons never declare a price winner across different billing models for exactly this reason.
A simple rule
Estimate how many billing cycles you will need, multiply, then add any activation fee. Compare that total against the one-time option with its own activation fee.
This guide is general education, not financial advice. Rules differ between firms and change over time; always read the firm’s current terms.
